Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - Can Luka Power Lakers To A Title, LeBron Is LOCKED IN, David Ross On Cubs Magical World Series Win

The Lakers dropped a couple, the late-game stuff looked messy, and I said it out loud: LeBron’s still elite, but I didn’t love the fit with Luka and Austin. Now they’re torching teams, and my question is simple—can this gorgeous offense carry in the playoffs where whistles tighten and defense decides series, or did they just level up in a real way?

They’ve improved on both ends, and the buy‑in under JJ is real. The defense jumped from bottom tier to solid, which is enough when your offense is this nasty, and Denver already showed you only need to be situationally sharp to win it all.

JJ leaned into their strength—basketball IQ—by dialing up pressure, putting two on the ball, and trusting rotations to jump lanes. That flipped their steals and points-off-turnovers from a drag to a big edge, juiced their transition game, and suddenly they’re building cushion without just trading buckets.

Offensively Luka’s playing like the best guy on Earth, bombing threes at volume while bullying to spots and diming like a center. Austin’s found rhythm, and with him and Luka carrying more load, LeBron’s sliding into that switch-flipping, playmaking, bully-ball closer who covers their athletic gaps when needed.

The trap for a talent-heavy group is coasting until it’s tied at 88, then flipping a switch. JJ’s pushed them to start locked-in, treat early possessions with purpose, and he’s pressing the right superstar buttons—LeBron and Luka look more complementary than I expected, and both are on their best runs in years.

JJ’s rapport matters; the criticism lit a fire, and Luka channeled his edge away from refs and into opponents and crowds. He’s focused on making shots and backing the talk—there was a kiss to the stands after a late dagger—and that swagger is fueling the group.

LeBron sees a version of Luka he can win a fifth ring with, and it’s changed his energy. He’s flying around on defense, barking that he’s not tired in huddles, and setting a tone that’s made them a blast to watch instead of a chore.

Switching gears—I’ve wanted a baseball show with personality for years, and the ten-year mark for the Cubs title felt perfect. David Ross is here as we tee up The Lovable Reunion with him and Anthony Rizzo; when did this idea click for you two?

Riz and I share agents and a long history, so we started talking after I was done playing about building something fun with our guys and stories. When we met your team, the excitement and fit were obvious, we kept it quiet, and now we’re fired up to drop it next week.

That run carried the weight of a century. When did you and Riz feel, this could really be the year?

It actually started in 2015 when we surged after a Giants series and the young core—KB, Javy, Addy, Schwarber—hit stride with vets around them. In 2016 we added key pieces, embraced the target, lost Schwarber early, still pitched and defended at a top level, and rolled with Joe’s message.

Take us to the last three outs of Game Seven—what did it feel like on that rail?

It was tight: Chapman steadied us, the rain delay reset things, Zobrist and Miggy drove in huge runs, then CJ and Monty tried to land the plane with Rajai lurking. That little dribbler to KB, the slip, the throw to Riz—pure release after riding every pitch with no control.

A decade later, what does that championship mean to you?

It changed my life—those teammates lifted me up and opened doors from ESPN to managing to this show, and the stories still bring laughs and tears. Most folks stop me for two things: the Cubs title and Dancing with the Stars, and I’m grateful for both.